Cronky

Tony I would assume. I reckon 90% of those who saw him play would pick him.

Had to pick Gazza. McFaul (N. Ireland) Solano (Peru) Dabizas (Greece) Albert (Belgium) Beye (Senegal) Gazza (England) Hamann (Germany) Green (Scotland) Bellamy (Wales) Rondon (Venezuela) Ginola (France)

Usual lack of skill going forward (Willock the exception) but we showed some heart. The equaliser may prove very important in keeping up the morale of the side, because we didn't deserve to lose.

Very harsh. He's the only player we have who looks truly comfortable in possession. We have actually played much worse this season.

Dummett seems to have lost a bit of pace. Doing okay though. Fairly even game. I just wish McGinn was on our side.

I think it's the difference between the pressure of playing for Burnley, and the pressure of playing for us.

Hinteresting - https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/14259552/brighton-adam-armstrong-transfer-west-ham-blackburn/

Smart move to include Ireland, because post-Brexit we don't head the international popularity table. Last time we got two votes, so there's a bit of a mountain to climb. The line 'We ought to get it because we invented the game' isn't going to work. Harking back to our glorious past tends to rub people up the wrong way. London won the Olympics because it was able to portray itself as a modern, international city. I assume 2030 is Europe's 'turn'. If there's any other European candidate, I can see UEFA backing them, even if it's San Marino. Anyone who saw the way the French referee handled the England-Wales Rugby game will know what I mean.

I do wonder whether the people who were most keen on introducing VAR are now the ones who are most critical of it. It was never going to be perfect. It was never going to eliminate doubt or controversy. It was never going to stop managers from moaning when decisions go against them. Expectations need to be more realistic.

There's a strong case for Drogba, but if there's going to be a centre forward type, we're going to pick Shearer. Hard to choose between the two though. I picked Suarez to spearhead the attack. A toe-rag he may have been, but I found it impossible to leave him out.

Sadly, I think Man City are now in a position to dominate for some time. I can't enjoy watching them, because of the way it's been achieved. There are far too many unresolved issues about their finances.

Robertson? Robertson? Really? ROBERTSON? Not such a bad call. The only problem is it shifts Cole out to the right. I found right back the most difficult position to fill. There wasn't an outstanding candidate. I was even tempted to pick Alexander-Arnold, but there are still too many questions about his defending. If Robertson was a right back, I think I'd have picked him there.

The decision to push Henderson and Fabinho into centre back when they suffered injuries to Van Dijk, Matip and Gomez completely messed up the team dynamic. It's thrown off the intensity of their press and their ability to win the ball high up the pitch and have teams on the back foot very quickly and create much easier chances. The full backs were a big part of their attacking threat, and maybe now they're having to concentrate more on defence, with the weakness at centre back that's arisen. Some of the energy has gone out, and the build-up tends to be slower. They had such a brilliant season last time, with everyone at the top of their game. That sort of drive is hard to sustain. This happened with Klopp at Dortmund didn't it? One great season followed by a really bad one. Maybe some of his drive has gone, at least temporarily.

On peak form, Bellamy. He nearly won us the league. At their best, I'd go - Schmeichel Sagna Van Dijk Terry Cole De Bruyne Keane Gerrard Suarez Rooney Hazard

The new Chelsea are very impressive.

I can remember him as a genuine ball-playing centre back who could easily have acted as a sweeper, which was the fashion in Europe around that time. It didn't work out for him as a manager, but the club was going through a difficult time. (no change there) Actually, I first saw him playing for the England B team against New Zealand, at Leyton Orient's ground. He stood out then as a class player.

One of the most frustrating NUFC players to watch all time. His only job is to pass the ball to ASM, but he refuses to do so Too often when the ball is coming over to him, the shape of his body telegraphs the fact that the only thought in his head is to put it back to the keeper. Having said that, I think he is improving.

We don't seem to have anyone who can stop Traore. They look the more likely to score now.

Re the Jenas / Humphries debate, there are two issues that I think are being confused. Should Bruce being achieving more with the squad that he's got, or is it the club's fault for not providing him with a good enough squad.

Usual problems. Can't keep the ball under pressure. Can't pressure the opposition well enough.

There's this mantra about keepers not getting beaten at their near post, but I think the fault lies with Krafth. He was twice beaten by Rashford. Rashford's shot was hard hit and went just inside the post. A lot of keepers would have been beaten by it.

No way will Rafa and Ashley work together again. That's one of the silliest rumours I've seen.

I'd opt for Batty, but with some reluctance. I don't think he made best use of his all-round talent. I actually saw him play for Leeds when he was about 20, and he displayed a lot of skill and creativity on the ball. At some stage of his career, he seemed to opt for a more conservative, defensive role, and to take on the persona of a hard man. He was a better player than he looked, if you get what I mean.

Good player. We always seemed to play better the minute he came on. I don't know why Rafa didn't rate him. Maybe a workrate / defending issue.

Yeah, he was actually the one who came closest to scoring. On two occasions.